Palestinians walk past the ruins of houses destroyed during Israel’s military offensive, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, March 20, 2024. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a Middle East tour starting with Saudi Arabia, aiming to facilitate a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict amidst growing strains in the relationship between Washington and its ally, Israel.
In Gaza, tensions escalated with reports of intense fighting around Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City’s northern area. Israel claimed to have engaged in a three-day battle resulting in the deaths of 90 individuals it labeled as gunmen, whereas Hamas disputed these claims, asserting that those killed were civilians and denying the presence of fighters in the hospital vicinity.
Following his visit to Saudi Arabia, Blinken is scheduled to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before proceeding to Egypt and Israel on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Notably, the inclusion of Israel in Blinken’s itinerary was announced after his arrival in Saudi Arabia, with no immediate explanation provided for the initial omission.
Recent developments witnessed heightened confrontations in northern parts of Gaza, including Al Shifa hospital, previously Gaza’s largest medical facility, now operating with limited capacity. Residents reported ongoing airstrikes and bombardments, reminiscent of earlier Israeli incursions into Gaza City.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected U.S. President Joe Biden’s appeal to halt plans for a ground assault on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Netanyahu emphasized the need to eliminate perceived threats in Rafah, which Israel considers as the last stronghold of Hamas fighters. Conversely, the U.S. deemed a ground assault in Rafah as detrimental to civilian welfare and urged alternative strategies to safeguard both civilian populations and Israel’s security interests.
The strained relations between the Biden and Netanyahu administrations have witnessed public disagreements, including remarks by Chuck Schumer, leader of the Democratic Party in the Senate, calling for Netanyahu’s replacement. Netanyahu’s alignment with Biden’s political rivals in an election year further underscores the discord in bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by mediators including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have resumed in Qatar. Despite recent efforts, discrepancies persist regarding the terms and duration of a potential truce. Hamas insists on the release of Israeli hostages as part of a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict, whereas Israel advocates for a temporary ceasefire, raising concerns about the viability of sustained peace efforts.
The conflict, which commenced on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian crises in both Gaza and Israel. The United Nations, along with international humanitarian agencies, has warned of dire consequences, including mass famine in Gaza, without an immediate ceasefire.
Israel’s military operations targeting Al Shifa hospital have drawn international scrutiny, with conflicting accounts regarding casualties and the military’s rationale for its actions. Amidst escalating tensions, achieving a lasting ceasefire and addressing humanitarian concerns remain critical priorities for all parties involved.
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